NEWS OUT OF HOLLAND, OF THE EAST INDIE TRADE THERE.  
CONTAINING A TRUE Copy of a Dutch Treatise there published, of the gross Abuses of their MAJORS, the Managers of their TRADE.  
SHOWING. That notwithstanding the extreme wrongs they do to the English Nation, Trading in the INDIES, yet it is the justice of GOD, they thrive not with it themselves.  
Printed this 26. of JUNE. 1622.  
LONDON, Printed by I. D. for Nicholas Bourne and Thomas Archer, and are to be sold at their shops at the Exchange, and in Popes-head Palace. 1622.   

The Translators Epistle to the Indifferent Reader.  
GEntle Reader, This Pamphlet following, came by means of a friend to my hand, in Dutch language out of Holland from the City of Amsterdam, which when I had throughly perused, I suppose my labour could not be lost in translating it into our English tongue, because the English my Countrymen, may understand 2. especial considerations thereby: First the small gain the Hollanders make by trading into the East Indies. Secondly the misse-governement and injurious dealing of the Majors, and such as are appointed Governors for the trade of the East Indies by the Hollanders. If the Majors and Governors be those, who Substitute under them Committees and Commissioners for the government of the Trade. They being in this Pamphlet touched by their own Countrymen, of dishonest and unconscionable dealing themselves, what Substitutes, Majors &c, will they appoint? but such who shall correspond with them in little Honesty and less Conscience: so that it is to be considered. in how dangerous an estate our English Merchants of the East Indian Company remain, to stand to the courtesy of such persons, against whom their own Countrymen do so heavily complain, it is apparent generally, that the English are wronged extremely by the Hollanders in the East Indies; and there is small hope of any redress in Holland, for where Covetousness at home, make choice of Officers in foreign parts abroad, Covetousness will rather maintain the extortions and oppressions committed by his Officers, then either redress them or correct them: As by this Translation following may plainly appear, which I leave to the reading and consideration of the indifferent Reader.   

THE RELATION FROM THE HOLLANDERS, ACCORDING TO THE DUTCH COPY.  
WHereas at this present, there is much speech, and may censures, concerning the profits and Government of the East Indie Company, as well by the Majors on their part, as by the Adventurers on theirs, the one making boast of great profits; and to have governed the same so worthily as that they conceive to have deserved still to continue and be confirmed in their places. Other maintaining to the contrary, that neither the profit, nor the Mayor's government, to have been such, as that either praise or thankes is due to them; but that the Adventurers, have rather just cause to petition to the Lords the State's General, for redress of better ordering thereof in the now next intended Patent, that thereby the profits may be advanced and more increased.  
Now the better to explain this mystery, and diversity of opinions, we will first set down what hath been the profits, and next what hath been the manner of government, to the end that every man may judge, what praise and thankes the Majors have deserved.  
As concerning the profits, first is to be known, at what time the Adventurers did bring in and make up their Stock, viz. in Annis. 1604. 1605. and 1606. which being received together fale to be in Anno. 1605— 100 the Interest whereof reckoned to the year 1622. which is for 17. years after 6¼ per Cent. per An. with Interest upon Interest amounteth to little more or less then— 180.  
Now considering the Majors from the year 1604. to the year 1621. have every year sent from hence to the East Indies, a fleet to a certain number of Ships, which are in all 18. fleets of Ships, sometimes more some times less; which one with the other I reckon about half a capital: whereof the assurance simply going and coming amounteth to 24. per Cent. though more must be given if one will ensure the trade which passeth from Port to Port in the East Indies, which duties for going and coming amounteth unto— 2●6.  
Hereof the Interest reckoned at 6¼ per Cent. per An. from Anno 1605. to the year 1621. until the money be yearly paid, which amounteth with Interest upon Interest, to little more or less then— 199.  
Whereby appeareth that the Capital with the Interest and Assurance amounteth unto— 695.  
Against this, is to be reckoned what the Company receiveth of the Ensurers, for loss sustained by Sea as well in going as coming, which ought to be valued as it cost the Company here, which taken at the highest will hardly amount unto 150. which being deducted out of the above said 695. the Capital cometh to stand in with the Interest and assurance 5. Capitals, 45. per Cent. Now the Mayor have at several times delivered to the Adventurers: 2. Capitals, viz.  
Anno 

1610— 57 ½  
1615— 42. ½  
1618.— 62. ½  
1620— 37. ½   Sum-200  
From which the Interest being reckoned to the year 1622. after 6¾ per Cent. Ann. with interest upon interest which amounteth unto— 117.  
The rest of the Account or Adventure, prised in March 1622. taken at the highest is worth— 190  
In Sum, the Capital with the profits from the beginning unto this present which the Adventurers have received, 5. Capitals. 7. per Cent. And the Capital cometh to stand in here, with the interest and assurance, as above appeareth, 5. Capitals and 45. per Cent. So as the Adventurers have gained nothing near the simple interest of 6¼ per Cent. per Ann. and ordinary assurance. By this may be gathered what profits the Adventurers have enjoyed, and how thankful they ought to be to the Majors,  
Now as concerning the Government, it is a thing certain that be it good or bad, the profits arise accordingly, for we daily see and find that by negligence all ill government, a great estate is soon brought to nought: and on the contrary through a good diligent and provident governing, great gains arise out of a small stock or means: whereas during all this Patent, so little profit ariseth, though great gain is ordinarily to be made in the East Indies, so as hereby may well be concluded that the same must be so, by reason of the directing or governing the same.  
Now as concerning the well governing: First of all is required a good understanding and experience, which I persuade suade myself hath been and is in many of the Majors without all doubt, but that is not enough, except there be care and diligence withal, but what care and diligence can be expected from them, who are so continually employed in their public Offices and functions, besides their particular affairs, that they can scarce once or twice in a week, spend a few hours in this weighty business, which indeed hath need of a constant and continuing sale according as the greatness and importance thereof requireth.  
For if a Merchant here in Town, findeth so much to do in his private affairs, that to do the same well, he hath very small time beside to spare: how much more time than doth so great business require? when not only here within the Land, but also in the Indies, in so many fare remonte parts, so great in Trade is driven from Port to Port, and much more may be, were it well ordered: when upon any advice coming thence, good regard is to be had, as also good information to be taken from any committie or other person coming thence, that so thereby good advice may likewise been sent back from hence upon sure ground, and to settle so good an order for redress of aught that is amiss there, that the Trade may flourish, and that those places which the Company have conquered there, may be to us and our posteritite in all obedience without prejudice. How great and continual a diligence this may require, and how little hath been used, those that have any understanding may easily gather by the small profits, which have been made.  
Further, is required in very Mayor, that he by all means seek to procure the common good of that which is committed to his charge, and not his particular: but how or wherein have they hitherto fought the common good of the Company, so long as they take a liberty to sell the Companies goods unto themselves, in which sale no doubt they seek their own particular profit, and not the Companies. At sometimes one Mayor buying the Companies goods of another Mayor; and at another time it happeneth quite contrary, viz. that he which was at first the buyer, is now become the seller to him that formerly was the seller himself: one may well conjecture how these things are thus carried, by such, who it may be are not so honest as they should be; what hindrance hereby befalleth the Adventurers, and what profits to the Majors, one may well conjecture by the small profits which the Adventurers have made, and the great wealth which the Majors have attained unto.  
When as the Majors have bought great quantity of the Companies goods for themselves, is to be imagined what kind of advice they will send to the Indies concerning such goods as themselves have bought, and whether their advice shall not ●end to their particular profits.  
Further may well be judged, in what manner the Majors seek to procure the profit of the Adventurers, who make it a business to sell their adventure for long days of payment, yea, ofttimes more themselves have in the Company, which is the cause that they may wish ill success to the Company, to the end that they may buy it in, the better cheap against the time of payment befalleth, and so to make their profit out of the Companies losses: how much such Majors do affect that the Company may prosper, may be imagined?  
And whether they have not sometime set out great and unnecessary Fleets (for many of them have quite sold at their adventures) whereby they could not be able to deliver out any shares to the Adventurers: whereunto notwithstanding, the Majors are by the Patent enjoined, so often as 5 per centum, profits may be made. All which they do to cause the adventure to fall in prize, to the end that they may buy it again good cheap. But what hindrance hereby is befallen many Adventurers, yea, some utterly undone, is too apparent, and they ought to examine their consciences, how free they are, and clean herein. For might one peruse their Books, no doubt thereby would be found, that many amongst them have little or no adventure) at all with the Company, and it would plainly appear, that their provision or factory concerns them nearer than the profit of the stuck they have there to expect, and therefore do readily resolve to the setting forth of great shipping or fleets, when as fewer and smaller would have been sufficient for Conquest, and fewer for trade from Port to Port: whereof that fleet which went through the strait of Magellane was one, which fleet alone did charge the Company with more than a Capital.  
It is likewise the practice of these kind of Majors, (knowing the choice to be in their own powers) to prefer their friends and kindred to the government, and excluding those that are great Adventurers, take ofttimes such as are none, but such as when then stand in nomination to be; do then begin to buy conditionally so they are chosen, than their buying to stand: but if not, than the bargain to be void: what good service the Company is to expect by such nimbling may well be conjectured. Besides they oft times prefer their friends, to be sent as Committees and other Offices to the Indies, although very unfit thereto, whereas it highly concerneth the Company, to have both honest and fit persons there, for hardly can it be imagined the great wrong which the Company have sustained, thorough the having so basely vild, & proudly insolent Committees in the Indies.  
Further, what loss the Company is put unto, by the building of so great and costly Ships (each Chamber striving which shall make the greatest Ship, and all for great stowage, to cause the greater return to be brought into their chamber, thereby to procure to themselves the greater factory or provision) cannot well be imagined: for as well might it be done with lesser, and Ships not so costly, and so the more stock to be employed in Trade, or otherwise to free themselves of their interest money, which great Ships, are partly used to carry wood and stone in the Indies, for the building of the Fort jacatra, some being worn and spent there, so as indeed one might have done as well between this and the Indies, with half as many great ships.  
Also many Sums of Gold have been spent in the making of diverse costly Forts and Castles in the Indies, the walls being all of stone, being Kinglike works, whereas to have made them of Earth, as they are here in our Country the Netherlands, had been as useful for keeping the Trade, from other Committees of foreign Lands: so had this needless charge been employed in Trade, might have advanced the Company more than a Capital.  
Also the Company hath freely endured some loss, by reason of the complaint of those persons who having done the Company good service, could obtain little or no Salary for the same. Whereby is befallen that some have put themselves into the service of other Companies of foreign Lands, to the no small hindrance of this Company, and by reason of their complaints, many other honest young men have been discouraged from coming into the Companies service, whereas the having of good and sufficient courses, doth very much import the Company. For which cause wise and provident Merchants do both recompense and prefer their faithful servants, to the end that thereby they may the longer make use of their good service, which example so the Majors would imitate in requiting their faithful servants, and prefer some of them to the Maiorship, it would do the Company much good, for that they being well experimented in the course of trade in the Indies, might serve the Majors (who were never there) upon all occasions, with sound and well grounded advice and directions, and this would be an inducement for other honest young men to put themselves into the Companies service there, and being in hope of further preferment, to perform it faithfully.  
By these above-mentioned, and other reasons that may be annexed hereto, is easy to judge, whence it proceedeth that hitherto so little profit hath been made.  
And that therefore the Adventurers as Petitioners, have just cause and reason to entreat the Lords the States, for better order and Patent, and that they are not to be blamed, as some have gone about to do.  
For Conclusion; Considering the Trade to the Indies, doth so much concern the Land in general, and the Adventurers each in his particular, to the end that through the well ordering thereof, it may not fall to the ground, but stand firm to us, and to our posterity. It is not to be doubted, but that the Lords the State's General, and the Prince his Excellency, will take this so important a business to heart, and not only be inclineable to the request of the Adventurers, but add thereunto other more necessary points, such as they in their great Wisdoms shall find fit and necessary.  
FINIS